Industrial Collective Research (IGF)

The Industrial Collective Research (IGF) funds pre-competitive R&D projects nationwide, in which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) collaborate with research institutions to develop innovative solutions. The objective of the IGF is to strengthen knowledge transfer between industry and science and to realize marketable technologies that sustainably improve industrial competitiveness. The funding rate is up to 50% of eligible expenses, which include personnel costs, materials, and small equipment. Infrastructure investments and retroactively incurred project costs are not funded. Consortia must consist of at least one SME and one research institution, and the participating partners must demonstrate their R&D competencies and resources. Evaluation criteria particularly include the degree of innovation, scientific and technical quality, market and economic potential, as well as the competence of the participants.

Companies, educational institutions, start-ups, non-profit and public organizations can submit applications at any time and benefit from a streamlined application process. Requirements include a completed application form, a project description, a financing plan, and CVs of the project participants. The DLR Project Management Agency, as a central pillar of the German Aerospace Center, supports the planning, submission, and accounting of projects, while the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy provides the funding. The IGF offers continuous, unbureaucratic support for pre-competitive collaborations and enables SMEs to implement forward-looking innovation projects together with research institutions.